Bishop says Seattle missionary abducted in Nigeria has been released

FILE - In this undated file photo provided by Mike Henry, Seattle missionary Rev. Phyllis Sortor speaks in a town in Nigeria. The Free Methodist Church said Friday, March 6, 2015, that Sortor, who was abducted last month from a school in Nigeria, has been released and is safe. (AP Photo/Mike Henry, File) (The Associated Press)

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FILE - In this undated file photo provided by Mike Henry, Seattle missionary Rev. Phyllis Sortor, center, stands with a delegation of area dignitaries in a town in Nigeria. The Free Methodist Church said Friday, March 6, 2015, that Sortor, who was abducted last month from a school in Nigeria, has been released and is safe. (AP Photo/Mike Henry, File) (The Associated Press)

SEATTLE – The Free Methodist Church says a Seattle missionary abducted last month from a school in Nigeria has been released and is safe.

In a statement Friday on the website of the Free Methodist Church USA, Bishop David Kendall says Phyllis Sortor was released Friday evening, Nigeria time, "into the care of authorities and Free Methodist Church leaders."

The 71-year-old woman was abducted Feb. 23 from the Hope Academy compound in Emiworo, Kogi state.